Summer Headwrap Tutorial for Infants and Toddlers

Dec 23, 2018

Originally posted on June 29, 2017

It’s almost 4th of July! My favorite time of year!! That might be because my birthday follows a few days later, but still. Summer is my favorite season! I love enjoying the fresh air and the warmth from the sun, and the fun summer activities.

I thought I’d share how to make the headwrap style headband I show in myskirt tutorial. This is an easy project but you’ll need about at least a yard of fabric because it is quite long. It’s a little bit different than my other headbands you might see in my shop. I’m going to share how to do those soon!

What you’ll need:

-Cotton fabric *46 inches by 7 inches* Measurements are variable which I will discuss later.

-As always…Pins, scissors, pinking shears, sewing machine and iron

You could make this with a variety of fabrics, even a stretchy cotton knit or perhaps a gauzy fabric. I used woven cotton for mine. I love shopping for fabric atfabric.com. They carry all of my favorite designers and brands, and they have such a wide variety of type of fabric. You can even get free shipping for orders over $49. They always have great sales! Currently select summer prints are on sale! Great time to snatch some up.

First, I’d like to go over the sizing. 46 inch long fabric will give you a finished piece about 42 inches long. This fits an average-sized toddler head once around with a bow. It should wrap around a younger baby twice. If you’re considering cutting a different length, use a tape measure to wrap around their head the desired way (once or twice) and then add about 26 inches for tying the bow and to account for the angle of the end and seam allowance.To cut the fabric, fold it over lengthwise so you are measuring 23 inches (half of the total) long from the fold and 7 inches width. Use pins or a marking pencil to mark your measurements for cutting. Cut it out.

Next, unfold the fabric so you have the entire length open. Fold right sides together and pin the whole length of the headwrap. Make sure to mark a gap of about two inches you will leave open to turn the headband right side out.

Now use a ruler or straight edge to mark a line for the angle at either end. Mark and cut one end. Then flip it so the other end is the opposite angle and use the edge to guide your marking and cutting of the other end.Once the angles are cut for both ends it’s time to stitch it up. Start at one end. Be sure to back stitch. Follow your angled cut at the end, make a nice sharp turn and stitch along the entire length of the headwrap except for the opening. Be sure to use your back stitch at the start and stop of the opening.

Trim your edges. I prefer to trim with pinking shears so the fabric isn’t fraying inside. Use a chopstick or pencil carefully to help turn and push out the corners.

Iron the head wrap. I do not bother to stitch the opening but you can stitch it or ladder stitch it closed if you prefer.

There are a few ways these head wraps can be tied. My daughter does not sit still, so I quickly wrap it around her head and make the first knot to establish the size. I slip it over my leg and find a spot at that size to finish tying the bow. Also note here that I fold the headwrap in half so it is less wide, but it can be used fully open as well. I open the fabric to its full width in the bow and position the ends so they match.

If you are going around the head twice, the initial knot will be at the back bottom of the head.Another way to wear it is as a flat band across the front and just two knots in the back with the ties hanging down. I have also put one knot in the center and used that as the “decoration” in the front and tied it in the back with the ties hanging down.